Detective Dominic Griffiths jailed for fake rape report

A former Greater Manchester Police detective who faked a forensics report in a rape case has been jailed for eight months.

Dominic Griffiths, 30, of Blenmar Close, Radcliffe, Manchester, had pleaded guilty to three counts of misconduct in a public office in March.

The court heard he falsified a prison officer's statement and forged the signature of an alleged rape victim.

Griffiths resigned from Greater Manchester Police in October 2010.

While investigating the alleged rape of a 14-year-old girl, Griffiths faked a forensic report after failing to send samples for testing, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

The job of detective was a childhood dream which he has jeopardised and lost through his actions”

He then lied to supervisors about the test's progress and falsely suggested an exhibit was lost.

In another rape investigation, he forged the signature of the alleged victim after she told him she wanted to retract her complaint.

He also falsified a prison officer's statement while investigating a 71-year-old prisoner's death.

Judge Clement Goldstone QC told Griffiths he had acted "deliberately, dishonestly and deviously".

He said: "Yours were actions which struck at the very heart of police integrity."

Steven Crossley, for the defence, said Griffiths's actions had had no impact on the cases' outcomes and he had not been seeking financial reward or aiding criminals.

Mr Crossley said: "The job of detective was a childhood dream which he has jeopardised and lost through his actions."

The offences were uncovered in July 2010 in an investigation by Greater Manchester Police's Professional Standards Branch, directed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.